Bruins dismiss Wayne Smith as director of amateur scouting

After seven seasons of mixed/weak results in the amateur draft, the lifeblood of NHL franchises, Wayne Smith has been dismissed as the Bruins’ director of amateur scouting.

“Wayne’s a friend and he’s been with us for a while,’’ said Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli, reached late Monday afternoon by phone. “But we want to change the complexion of our scouting staff.’’

Smith, one of Chiarelli’s first hires when the GM took command of the front office in June 2006, was relieved of his duties in the days immediatley following the draft June 30.

Chiarelli has yet to name a successor, but the lead candidate could be Keith Gretzky, the brother of league icon/scoring great Wayne Gretzky.